Aster plant named ‘DASDEM’

ABSTRACT

A new distinct cultivar of  Aster  plant named ‘DASDEM’, characterized by its upright plant form with somewhat outward spreading plant habit; bright yellow-green foliage; decorative, composite-type inflorescence with about 250 violet-blue colored ray florets; and only about 10 to 20 green-colored disc florets per inflorescence (almost 100% filled capitulae).

Latin name of the genus and species of the claim plant: Aster novi-belgi (now Symphyotrichum novi-belgii).

Variety denomination: ‘DASDEM’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Aster plant, botanically known as Aster novi-belgii (now Symphyotrichum novi-belgii) of the Asteraceae family, commonly known as the Michaelmas Daisy and New York Aster, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘DASDEM’.

The new Aster cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Bent Juhl JENSEN, in Malling, Denmark. The objective of the breeding program is to develop a new Aster variety with uniform plant growth habit, unique floret colors, and good postproduction longevity.

The new Aster cultivar originated from a cross made in a controlled breeding program by the inventor on Apr. 1, 2005 in Malling, Denmark. The female or seed parent is Aster novi-belgii ‘MILKA’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,602). The male or pollen parent is Aster novi-belgii ‘MARGRETHE VIKING’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,358 and CPVO Grant No. 8378). The new Aster ‘DASDEM’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in September of 2006 in a controlled environment in Malling, Denmark. The selection of the new Aster ‘DASDEM’ was based on its uniform plant growth habit and desirable inflorescence form and ray floret color.

Asexual reproduction of the new Aster cultivar by vegetative tip cuttings was first performed in June of 2006 in Malling, Denmark, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘DASDEM’, which in combination distinguish this Aster as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Upright plant form with somewhat outward spreading plant         habit;     -   2. Bright yellow-green foliage;     -   3. Decorative, composite-type inflorescence with about 250         violet-colored ray florets; and     -   4. Only about 10 to 20 green-colored disc florets per         inflorescence (almost 100% filled capitulae).

Plants of the new Aster ‘DASDEM’ differ from plants of the parents, Aster ‘MILKA’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,602) and Aster ‘MARGRETHE VIKING’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,358 and CPVO Grant No. 8378) in the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Male Parent Female Parent ‘MARGRETHE New Cultivar ‘MILKA’ VIKING’ Characteristic ‘DASDEM’ (patented) (patented) Leaf Shape: Gladiate to linear Elliptic Elliptic Mature Leaf Yellow-green, Green, Green, Color RHS 147A RHS 137A to RHS 137A (upper surface): RHS 137B Capitulum Diameter: 32-35 Diameter: 24-27 Diameter: 30-35 Size: mm mm mm Ray Florets About 250 florets About 128-164 About 100-150 per inflorescence, ray florets per ray florets per which are oval in flower, which are flower, which are shape, with narrowly elliptic narrowly obovate rounded, slightly in shape, with in shape, with retuse apex acute apex obtuse apex Mature Ray Violet, Violet, White, Floret RHS 84C RHS 85A RHS 155D Color (upper surface): Disc Florets: About 10-20 disc No disc florets About 35-45 disc florets per produced. florets per inflorescence inflorescence Mature Disc Green N/A Purple Floret Color:

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Aster ‘DASDEM’ are 1) Aster novi-belgii ‘VICTORIA FANNY’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,360 and CPVO Grant No. 11804) and 2) Aster novi-belgii ‘VICTORIA ILONA’ (patented, CPVO Grant No. 14581). Plants of the new Aster ‘DASDEM’ differ from plants of Aster novi-belgii ‘VICTORIA FANNY’ and Aster novi-belgii ‘VICTORIA ILONA’ in the characteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Comparison Comparison Cultivar Cultivar ‘VICTORIA ‘VICTORIA New Cultivar FANNY’ ILONA’ Characteristic ‘DASDEM’ (patented) (patented) Leaf Shape: Gladiate to linear Lanceolate Gladiate to lanceolate Mature Leaf Yellow-green, Yellow-green, Green, Color RHS 147A RHS 147A RHS 139B (upper surface): Capitulum Diameter: 32-35 Diameter: 32.5 Diameter: 32.5 Size: mm mm mm Ray Florets About 250 ray About 190 ray About 250 to 300 florets per florets per flower, ray florets per inflorescence, which are flower, which are which are oval in narrowly obovate lanceolate in shape, with in shape, with shape, with rounded, slightly rounded apex rounded apex retuse apex Mature Ray Violet, RHS 84C Violet, RHS 88C Purple, RHS 76B Floret Color (upper surface): Disc Florets: About 10-20 disc About 25-35 disc About 50-60 disc florets florets florets per inflorescence per inflorescence per inflorescence Mature Disc Green, RHS Yellow-green, Green, RHS Floret Color: 137D RHS 151B 137D

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Aster ‘DASDEM’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describes the color of ‘DASDEM’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective a typical flowering plant of ‘DASDEM’ in a 9.5 cm pot, at 10 weeks of age after planting.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view perspective of a typical mature inflorescence of ‘DASDEM’, at 10 weeks of age after planting.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up comparison view of a typical mature inflorescence and leaf of: 1) the new Aster ‘DASDEM’ (referenced by breeder designation 61-3), compared to 2) the comparison cultivar Aster ‘VICTORIA ILONA’ (referenced by ILONA) and 3) the maternal cultivar Aster ‘MILKA’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Aster ‘DASDEM’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Aster ‘DASDEM’ as grown in a glass-covered greenhouse in Malling, Denmark, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. ‘DASDEM’ plants were grown in 9.5 cm pots in a heated and lighted glass-covered greenhouse with the day temperatures ranging from 18° C. to 20° C. and the night temperature averaging 18° C. ‘DASDEM’ plants are grown under long day (20 hour) photoperiodic treatments for five weeks, followed by short day (12 hour) photoperiodic treatments for five weeks. During the long day (20 hour) photoperiodic treatments, if ambient light level falls below +50 Wm², a supplementary light at +200 Wm² is applied. ‘DASDEM’ plants ‘DASDEM’ plants were pinched once, and treated twice with the growth retardant Daminozide.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (RHS), 4th Edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions in Malling, Denmark. The age of the ‘DASDEM’ plants shown in the photographs and described herein is about 10 weeks.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Aster novi-belgii (now Symphyotrichum             novi-belgii). -   Parentage:     -   -   Female or seed parent.—Aster novi-belgii ‘MILKA’ (patented,             U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,602).         -   Male or pollen parent.—Aster novi-belgii ‘MARGRETHE VIKING’             (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,358 and CPVO Grant No.             8378). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Vegetative tip cuttings.         -   Time and temperature to initiate roots.—Summer: About 12             days at 21° C. Winter: About 13 days at 21° C.         -   Rooting habit.—Fine, fibrous and freely branching.         -   Root color.—Gray-white, close to RHS 156D. -   Plant description:     -   -   General appearance and form.—Herbaceous, decorative-type             potted or bedding plant with upright plant habit. Aster             inflorescences in composite heads.         -   Growth and branching habit.—Stems upright and somewhat             outward spreading habit; inverted conical plant habit.             Appropriate for 9 cm to 15 cm containers.         -   Growth rate/vigor.—Vigourous.         -   Plant height (soil level to top of plant plane).—About 17             cm.         -   Plant width (spread).—About 22 cm to 25 cm.         -   Crop time to produce a mature flowering plant.—After             rooting, about 10 weeks are required to produce finished             flowering plants in 9.5 cm pots. -   Branches:     -   -   Number of branches per plant.—About 12, with 3 cuttings per             pot.         -   Quantity of buds and inflorescence per lateral stem.—About 2             to 6, buds continue to develop when dead flowers are             removed.         -   Branching habit.—Freely after pinching.         -   Length.—About 12 cm (including flowers).         -   Diameter.—About 2 mm.         -   Internode length.—About 9 mm. Range about 7 mm to 13 mm.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright.         -   Texture.—Slightly ridged and strigilose.         -   Color.—Green, RHS 137B. -   Foliage description:     -   -   Quantity per branch.—About 10 to 14.         -   Arrangement.—Single, alternate, sessile.         -   Length.—Up to 6 cm.         -   Width.—Up to 8 mm.         -   Overall shape of leaf.—Gladiate to linear.         -   Shape at apex.—Acute.         -   Shape at base.—Decurrent, auriculate ½ clasping.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Glabrous, smooth, leathery.         -   Pubescence.—Few short hairs on edges and abaxial surface.         -   Color of developing foliage.—Upper surface: Yellow-green,             RHS 147A. Under surface: Gray-green, RHS 189A.         -   Color of mature foliage.—Upper surface: Yellow-green, RHS             147A. Under surface: Gray-green, RHS 191A.         -   Venation pattern.—None, but prominent central abaxial vein.         -   Venation color.—Upper surface: Yellow-green, RHS 147A. Under             surface: Yellow-green, RHS 146C. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance.—Terminal and axillary composite inflorescences             held above and beyond the foliage, with about 250             lanceolate-shaped ray florets and only about 10 to 20 disc             florets; ray and disc florets arranged acropetally on a             capitulum. Inflorescences face upright and form is             capitulate in tight cymes.         -   Natural flowering season.—Under natural season conditions,             plants flower in late summer through autumn in Denmark.             Season can be extended by vernalization and long day             treatments.         -   Time to flower.—About 5 to 6 weeks (longevity of individual             inflorescences is dependent on temperature and light             conditions).         -   Postproduction longevity.—Inflorescences maintain good color             and substance for about 37 days on the plant when in an             indoor environment, and may keep longer if temperatures are             maintained below 20° C. Inflorescences persistent.         -   Quantity of inflorescences.—About 50 to 80 buds and open             inflorescences per plant.         -   Fragrance.—Faint.         -   Bud.—Rate of opening: About 10 per week, for 3 weeks after             induction. Length: Up to 7 mm. Diameter: Up to 7 mm. Shape:             Globular. Texture: Glabrous. Color: Green, RHS 137B.         -   Peduncle.—Length: About 10 mm to 15 mm. Diameter: 1 mm.             Appearance and angle: About 70° from vertical. Strength:             Strong. Texture: Glabrous. Color: Green, RHS 134C.         -   Inflorescence.—Inflorescence depth (height): About 6 to             8 cm. Inflorescence diameter About 4 to 6 cm. Capitulum             height: About 3.2 to 3.5 cm. Capitulum diameter: About 1.5             cm.         -   Quantity of flowers (capitulae) per inflorescence.—About 3             to 8 capitulae         -   Inflorescence.—Inflorescence height: About 5 to 6 cm.             Inflorescence diameter About 6 to 7 cm. Capitulum height:             About 15 mm. Capitulum diameter: About 35 mm.         -   Ray florets.—Arrangement and Quanity: Imbricate, about 250             ray florets per capitulum in 9 to 12 whorls of ray florets             (depending on light and temperature conditions).             Orientation: Initially upright, later mostly horizontal.             Aspect: Straight to slightly involute. Appearance:             Lanceolate. Length: About 7 mm to 9 mm. Width: About 2 mm.             Overall shape: Oval. Shape at apex: Rounded, slighlty             retuse. Shape at base: Fused. Margin: Entire. Texture: Upper             and under surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Pubescence: Subtended             by numerous short, about 2 mm white hairs. Color (when             opening): Upper surface: violet-blue, RHS 91D. Under             surface: violet-blue, RHS 92D. Color (when fully opened):             Upper surface: violet, RHS 84C. Under surface: violet-blue,             RHS 92D. Fading: Yes, to violet-blue, RHS 92D.         -   Disc florets.—Arrangement: About 10 to 20 disc florets,             massed at center of capitulum. Length: About 1 to 2 mm.             Width: About 1 mm. Disc area diameter: About 2 mm. Overall             shape: Tubular, elongated. Shape at apex: Acute. Shape at             base: Fused to tube. Margin: Entire. Texture: Upper and             under surfaces: Scale-like, parchment thin. Pubescence:             Subtended by numerous short, about 2 mm, white hairs. Color             (when opening): Upper and under surfaces: Green, RHS 137D.             Color (when fully opened): Upper and under surfaces: Green,             RHS 137D.         -   Phyllaries.—Quantity per inflorescence: Involucre, about 40             to 50. Length: About 3 to 5 mm. Width: About 1 to 2 mm.             Overall shape: Tubular, elongated. Apex shape: Acute. Base             shape: Fused lanceloate. Margin: Entire. Texture: Hairy,             setulose edges, verrucose abaxial surface. Color (immature):             Upper surface: Green, RHS 137B. Under surface: Green, RHS             137D. Color (immature): Upper surface: Green, RHS 137A.             Under surface: Green, RHS 137B. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium (on disc florets only).—Stamen number: 1 per             floret; fused around style. Stamen length: About 1 mm.             Anther shape: Narrowly cylindrical, somewhat fused. Anther             length: About 0.3 mm. Anther color: Yellow, RHS 8B. Pollen             amount: Scarce. Pollen color: Yellow, RHS 8A.         -   Gynoecium (on disc and ray florets).—Pistil number: 1 per             floret. Pistil length: About 2 mm. Stigma shape: Cleft.             Stigma length: About 1 mm. Stigma color: White, RHS N155D.             Style length: About 1 mm. Style color: White, RHS N155D.             Ovary diameter: About 2 mm. Ovary color: White, RHS N155D. -   Seed: None observed. -   Fruit: None observed. -   Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests common to     Asters has not been observed on plants grown under commercial     greenhouse conditions. -   Disease/pest susceptibility: Resistance to pathogens and pests     common to Asters has not been observed on plant grown under     commercial green house conditions, except mildew after flowers wilt. -   High temperature tolerance: Not specifically tested, but if enough     water is available, tolerant up to 35° C. -   Low temperature tolerance: Not specifically tested, but if enough     water is available, tolerant to −15° C. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Aster plant named ‘DASDEM’, as illustrated and described herein. 